The Forgiveness Channel

Is your shadow bird over
stressed? Confused beneath constellations
of crimes? Accept a lily
for each like she carries,
a violet for each wart on her gut.

Only in the third life is the second life
repented. And so on.

And so a bird returns herself
to the poisoned mine.

Tired of gnawing the tiny boiled head
of thy enemy? Try
the tulips. On sale and shipped free.

Sip from the bearded iris. Then take
the brief walk across wide waters
to the island of rehabilitated birds. Soon
gardenias will arrive, orchids monthly—
      now that your credit's redeemed, now
      that your sky's slate's wiped clean.

Copyright © 2006 Nance Van Winckel All rights reserved
from Elixir
Reprinted by Verse Daily® with permission